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Oh, What a Tangled Web We Weave, When First We Practice to Deceive |
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NHL owners have a right to be pissed.
A letter from NHLPA Executive Director Donald Fehr to players was leaked on Friday. I won't go into all the boring details of the letter. What's important at this moment is to say the NHL believes the information in the letter was intentionally misleading. They feel it's proof that Fehr has been misleading players in an effort to keep the lockout going.
I've been saying for a few weeks now that the majority of players want to deal, and are prepared to agree to a new CBA provided current contracts are protected. The NHL had a breakthrough of sorts a few days ago, when they decided to "make whole" current deals. In other words, they promised to honor them. All of us fans got excited when we heard about this, because, according to most of the players at least, the "make whole" clause was the hold-up.
After reading Fehr's letter to the players, it's obvious there's two different player agendas. One agenda is to protect current contracts and to get games going again. The other? To stick it to the league. It appears a certain group of players has no interest in negotiating any settlement at this time. They're more interesting in proving a point than finding a solution.
The NHL and NHLPA met for two hours on Friday, and as of now, members of the PA are meeting. It's possible both groups will go back to the bargaining table this evening, but from what I'm hearing, we're at an impasse again.
The NHLPA, Fehr specifically, is playing with fire. As this lockout continues and players continue to feel the financial pinch, more and more of those not directly involved with the PA will begin to question the motivations of their leadership. It's altogether possible the PA will be forced into a deal by the majority of their members, or the entire bargaining process will come to a screeching halt again within the next few days. Should the PA decide to discontinue negotiations now, I'm off the belief the entire season will be lost, and Fehr, eventually, will be out of a job.
It's more of the "same ol' same ol": The NHL is making concessions, and the PA is reacting by making new demands instead of accepting the concessions. From what I understand, the NHLPA has asked for the amount of revenue sharing to drastically increase, and they're insisting to be treated as business partners, working in tandem in the future with the NHL's Board of Governors when it comes to management of the league. The owners want no part of this, and are beginning to become hostile at the PA's increasing demands. Things are getting very ugly in a hurry.
When I know more, I'll post it.
Update 8:30pm est: It's been reported that the Fehr has asked that the players receive $1.83B compounded by 5% annually over the next five years. This basically means he wants contracts to be honored current levels, plus 5%, paid as if the league is having an 82 game schedule this season. What did I just say about the NHLPA's demands getting out of hand? I hope Bettman tells Fehr to take a long walk off a short plank.
Fehr is about to hold a news conference in a few minutes. Don't believe a word of it.
Update 9:10pm est: Reports now say the 5% is inaccurate, and what the NHLPA is actually looking for is 1.75%. Weird. I thought the goal here was to move the cap to a 50/50 split and for teams to fully honor and pay out current contracts? As for what Fehr had to say at his press conference, I wouldn't believe a word of it. He said in his letter to players that the gap between the league and the PA was "significant". He said during his press conference that the two sides are not far apart. Sounds like Fehr will say whatever to whomever.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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